3.66 Mile Run: Destin, FL

Great run. Started out with Lito and Judy. Oh yeah, they and our friends Edd and Kaye are in Destin Florida vacationing and celebrating New Years here. The house we got is excellent, but not on the beach. Little bungalow with 3 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. It also has a screened in front porch. Shaby chic furniture and cabinets. Very quaint.

Back to the run. I ran while listening to 3 Doors Down, Away from the Sun. It is good music and appears near the top of the list in the mp3 player. Retrospective lyrics, soft rock rythms with occasional hard rock riffs. I dig it. Knocked off 5 minutes based on the last run at the 3 mile mark, cool. I used the Garwin/Timex time and distance system so no heart rate measure. I am also testing my new iRiver and lapel mic that I got for Christmas. Soon, I'm sure I will be recording stuff while running. Thanks for the inspiration Steve Runner.

Data

Distance: 3.661
Time: 34:44
Heart Rate: Not measured
Pace: 9:29
Weather: Clear skies and 40 degrees

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Tonight was the first run since jaw surgery. I came through it just fine. The hardest part was eating a liquid diet and avoiding exercise. The swelling also took awhile to get down. But, I won't gross anyone out who happens to come here to read. The great news is I can run and I can go workout. I went to the gym yesterday and got out on the road tonight.

I listened to Phedippidations and the Daily Source Code to get caught up.

Data

Distance: 3 Miles
Time: 33:42
Heart Rate: 168
Pace: 11:14
Weather: Clear skies, 59 degrees

Podcast Update

• Norman Packard talked about Synthetic Biology. The main starting theme he introduced was a definition of life which includes requirements for self-subsistence, reproduction, and ability to evolve. With this definition, many things can be considered alive and Norman is particularly targeting creating things that are living that can do useful things. Best to let him tell you. This is an excellent presentation and I am looking for my new laptop that comes with the factory to produce more laptops and to improve them along the way!
• Dr. Moira Gunn talks with Gerd Leonhard, music industry strategist, about the future of music. He's written a book for which you can get a direct link by following the link just before this sentence, The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution. If you are a Daily Source Code listener, then you know that Adam Curry has been discussing how the current musical industry and the laws that support it are archaic. Further, that they don't adequately or fairly represent the real interests of musicians or customers. Gerd provides validation of most of Adam's views and a good all around discussion of this important topic. And, yes getting music as we know it is changing!
• Peter O'Kelly, Burton Group, discusses Microsoft as a Superplatform. His presentation provides quick fly-by of Microsoft's main platform offerrings. He validates that Microsoft is a viable candidate. Yes, there is lock-in just as there is if one goes with IBM, Oracle, SAP, and other providers. He believes that all of these vendors and others operate on a similar business model that seeks to provide multiple layers of the stack to each of their customers.
  

Podcast Update

• Dr. Moira Gunn talks with Ann Winblad, Hummer-Winblad Venture Partners, and Laura Merling, SDForum about funding and building new software. This is an interesting podcast predominantly about how silicon valley is still the center of software innovation. While they did give credit to the collaboration environment enabled by the Internet, I am not so confident that all big time software innovation begins in southern California. But, a lot certainly does.
• Balaji B. Prasad, EDS, talks about the Future of the Computer in Your Car. This was a very interesting presentation that I listened to quite awhile ago, but failed to log. Thus, my memory is a little light on his presentation. I do remember that he indicated that we might expect thinks like SIP to be used to help our various pieces of equipment to keep up with where we are and where we were with various things we might be using. I know this was a very interesting presentation and I would recommend it.
• Dr. Moira Gunn talks with Eamonn Kelly, Global Business Network, about the major impacts on the world today. He and Dr. Gunn walk quickly through the last 500 years and remind us that we are under going changes today that may not be unlike those of the enlightenment of those days 500 years ago. I think Eamonn is right on target with his prognostications and analysis of the current climate on the planet. The ubiquity of information and its access around the planet is reshaping the way people think and communicate. Further, as Eamonn notes we are discovering what we have and are doing to the planet. People are taking different sides and, in many cases, taking action. All of which is setting the stage for change. I highly recommend this presentation.
  

Podcast Update

• Esther Tyson led a discussion on accountability on the Internet. She spent a significant time talking about the importance of the rules that govern the creation of things on the net. This is seen in light of things like flickr and other sites that permit users to create things to which others have access and frequently participate in some form of exchange about. Much of the discussion was focused on those that are clearly involved in this topic and as such I did not have enough context to follow all of the exchanges. For example, there was a good discussion on the whether or not root domain servers (think DNS) should be commercial entities and wouldn't that improve root domain servers' services?
  
  There was a significant discussion around the accountable and non-accountable web. Non-accountable web really refers to the ability for anonymity and as such protecting the identity of the user. Esther supports the idea of having a non-accountable web, but believes that in general it leads to bad, harmful activities. She believes transparency is better. Her policy was expressed as "do ask, don't lie". You can say, I won't say. This led to some heated exchange around this. Quite interesting.
• John Clippinger talked about Social Physics. The domain of the topic is all about social networks and most particularly self-organizing on the web. He compares our traditional notions of authority, the influences of thoughts by those like Adam Smith, and neural science to draw conclusions about social physics as it applies to group formation and regulation (frequently self-forming and regulating). Very interesting presentation. He built the case that you can not separate emotion from reason. He claimed that as one reviews or formulates an argument, the evaluation is not some dry truth value calculation, but that in fact their are connections in the brain between this cortex related activity and the limbic system maintain an significant connect between reason and emotion. Thus, as we participate in groups from a variety identities (roles), we react emotionally and this emotion is driven partially by our desire to trust and such. He concludes (like Esther above), that transparency in this context is extremely important for the establishment of trust. Good presentation.
• Dick Hardt talked about identity 2.0. He did a good brief review of the past trail (like Microsoft's Passport) and paper based documents we have had historically. He clearly shows that ultimately what we want from identity infrastructure that identifies the person. That person will, of course, has different relationships, reflections of self on from different contexts, but is ultimately the same person. Reputation becomes significant in this context. He does a quick review of the various technologies coming into this space now and offers caution given RSA's expectations for SAML for registering for use given their claim of patent. His best line is "simple and open" wins. It is true and as he implied the domains to which this truism applies is extremely broad. It is clear that we don't know where identity is going, but Dick definitely has his hand directly on the pulse. He rejects WS-* stuff and SAML as very likely candidates given a variety of reasons not least of which is they are not "open and simple". He would like to see the identity strategy he backs win as thanks to the presentation, I will be checking out. He suggests sxip.
• Dr. Moira Gunn talked with Dr. Paul Hallenback about NeoTropix and his research involving viruses and cancer. This fast paced presentation proved to be very interesting. Paul talked alot about a virus they have identified that prove to be able to go throughout one's system and systematically eat tumor cells and then just get flushed away by the body at the end. Many current therapies and a 10-1 kill ratio (for 10 cancer cells the person loses 1 good cell). This new virus may have a kill ration of 1 million-1. WOW. Very interesting stuff.
  

Podcast Update: Robert Lefkowitz and Semasiology, Again

Robert presented the second part of his presentation on the semasiology of open source. I thoroughly enjoyed the first part and this one did not let me down either. He does a good job of making some straight forward facts and observations painfully obvious and, more importantly, convincingly important. For example, he builds the case that at least 1/2 of the money spent on software is spent reading it. Thus, make it readable is far more important that we may generally think. Why is this true? Well 60+% of the expense for any software is consumed in maintenance. Most of the time spent in maintenance is spent reading the code trying to figure out what it does.

He also reminds us that the meaning of "reading" has changed over time and that the nature of this change has relevance for open source in the modern world. For example, in the early days of reading, the reader was seen as taking on the properties of the writer. Anyone reading a book as taking the role of the speaker (writer). Overtime, the reader was seen as the receiver of the exchange. The reader essentially became the target, the listener for the writer. Open Source in this same way will and does encompass more then just the source. It is also about requirements and all of the other characteristics accompany our conception of software. Very interesting presentation.

Podcast Update

I have only managed to listen to one new IT podcast since my last update. I am keeping up with Adam Curry's Daily Source Code and Steve Runner's Phedippidations. I listened Robert Lang talk about origami, computation, and open source. Robert talked about how those in the origami community have shared designs and the computations underneath many of the designs. Apparently, much of modern origami is based on series of mathematical calculations many of which are generated by computers. This same technology is used to determine how to fold things from air bags in cars to solar sails deployed in space. This was a brief, but very interesting presentation.

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Well, this is the last run before the jaw surgery. I am getting jaw surgery to correct my bite. This is part of the ortho treatment I have been in for almost a year now (wearing braces). I had the choice of losing some teeth or surgery. I went for the surgery. I won't be able to run for 2 weeks. At that point, I will be training in earnest for Cooper River Bridge which I have registered for now. Tonight, I ran to Alien Ant Farm which just cranks. I especially like their cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" Data: Distance: 3 Miles Time: 30:26 Heart Rate: 161 Pace: 10:9 Weather: Partly cloudy, 48 degrees

Added Frappr Map

I am sure that there are few (if anyone) that follow my rambling and blog entries. But, hey if you do, how about following the link in the header to Peg yourself on my Frappr map.

Podcast Update

• Kim Polese, SpikeSource, talked about companies moving from using Open Source from a "Do it Yourself" to a "Do it Together" mentality. This is the second podcast of a speech by Kim that I have listened to. And, both times she delivers. I, too, believe that we are under going a culture change as it pertains to the development and integration of software. This modern age of participation and transparency is changing the way we look at software and architecture. I highly recommend this podcast.
• Daniel Blum, Burton Group, talked about Managing Security. He does a good job of building the case of why the security is good for business and why business needs to be concerned about security. Further, he reminds us that we must be proactive and that realistic threat analysis is MUST and that some of the biggest threats work inside the firewall. Good presentation.
• Ray Kurzweil, Kurzweil Technologies, talked with Dr. Moira Gunn about the singularity and how humans transcend biology. This was a very interesting podcast and I plan to listen to his full length discussion as referenced in this interview. One of his comments I found most memorable referred to the darwinistic view of a buffalo growing a thick and protective hide. In this view, the buffalo that were born with genes that didn't not result in warm enough hides died. The evolution took generations. For us humans, as the weather gets cold, we only need to be near on the warm buffalo. Good interview.

Book Update: Finished Podcast Solutions

I found the book very informative and the chatty style (not to be confused with lots of words) that created the allusion of a conversation with the authors was great. I have podcasting equipment on order and have improved the production quality of my podcasts that are hosted on an intranet as a result of reading this book. If you are interested in Podcasting , this is a great book.

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

It was a cold night. First time in tights this year. I double layered the top with a singlet and a long sleeve coolmax. Ran slow as I took my time along the trail along the lake to protect the ankle. It doesn't make sense to push it. I listened to another Phedippidations 19 - Rambling Diatribes from Steverunner.com. First, let me say that running while listening to a runner WORKS. I enjoyed the experience. Not to mention how many times I have had similar internal diatribes while running. Two of my favorite topics were mentioned by Steve: dogs and cars (esp. the nuts holding the steering wheels). He is right in both cases. People should take better care of dogs and not let them roam. People should drive as if they had sense. And, yes there are tons of stupid drivers. And, they all seem to hate runners.

Data:

Distance: 3 Miles
Time: 32:00
Heart Rate: 151 (nice rate!)
Pace: 10:40
Weather: Clear skies, 42 degrees (weather.com said feels like 34).

Podcast Update: Phedippidations

I checked out Steve Runner's Phedippidations. At first, I didn't think I was going to like it. I like to run and I read Runners' World. But I typically prefer to listen to music or technical stuff when I am listening to podcasts. But, as I hung in there, I found myself getting locked into what Steve was experiencing and I couldn't turn it off. I am hooked. I will be continuing to listen in on Steve's Phedippidations. Steve, I was about to yell when you stopped near the end of the Cape Cod marathon. Good job for making it!

5K Run: Demopolis, AL

I ran the Christmas on the River Jingle Bell 5K in Demopolis, AL. I cranked up Stepford Wives, Back, and Puddle of Mud's Come Clean CD. Great run on a cool, but not cold morning. I have run this race at least 6 or 7 times now and it is always fun to run in this community run with a couple hundred runners. Good time today too. Maybe, I can pick up the pace. Data: Distance: 3.1 Miles Time: 27:50 Heart Rate: 175 Pace: 9:16 Weather: Cloudy skies, 52 degrees (in fact, it started raining when I finished).

Found a Running Podcast!

I was listening to the Dawn and Drew Show, a podcast, recently and they played a snippet of some guy that was recording a podcast while running. So, I went to their website and got the link, http://www.steverunner.com, and I am now checking it out. Too early for me to say if I like it yet, as I have not had a chance to listen. But, what a good idea. I emailed Steve too. He sure seems like a nice person as well. Thanks for the reply Steve. I asked him about the equipment he used to record.

I noticed a question/answer board, basically "Ask Steve", where there is an anwser to how one knows if he is a runner or a jogger. I gotta say, I think the answer is simpler. Ask the runner or the jogger (depends on their self-perception). Just my opinion. Me, I'm a runner and a jogger. Now, the ultimate question is are you "a real runner", lol (lots of laughs). For me, the answers to this question provides a framework for "you're a real runner if...".

You're a real runner if:

• You run in the rain
• You run in the cold
• You understand putting vaseline on your nipples
• You know the definition of "chub rub"
• You watch friends drink while you abstain 'cause you have to run tomorrow
• You drink beer tonight even though you are running tomorrow

This list could get huge.... But, I have heard this at many a runner/jogger gathering.

3 Mile Run: Neighborhood

Good run, even if slow. Guess it is going to take me awhile to get the pace back. But, hey it is better then spraining an ankle and falling down and scraping a knee. "On the road again...". Anyway, the Creative Zen Sleek and I are still getting along. Here are some tidbits:

Creative Zen Sleek

• Likes:
• Lots of storage
• Easy to use
• I have dropped this thing 3 times and it just keeps working
• Supports Windows media format
  
• Dislikes:
• Random shuffle seems to select the same albums in the same order just different songs
• Pause and return after idle shutdown works great (takes back to where you where) if you come back soon. But, if you wait too long, it forgets where you where. This is the biggest nuisance. As a podcast listener, it would be great if I could just hit pause, it shutdowns after idle timeout, and no matter when I return it puts me where I was.
• Hard to find cases and accessories
  

Data:

Distance: 3 Miles
Time: 30:40
Heart Rate: 160
Pace: 10:13
Weather: Clear skies, 48 degrees.